100 Leather Backpack with Zipper Accents from Costa Rica 'Stroll Through the City' Item ID: 2671771972

“Hello, my name is Monica Acosta Piedra. Let me introduce you to my family, as well as the pillars of my life: my parents, Eduardo Acosta and Gabriela Piedra.

“In 1984, my parents, being a young couple with three children, were looking for the best way to get ahead. So, my father began to make leather shoes. It was a trade with a lot of demand. But, eventually, Costa Rica began to receive an enormous quantity of shoes from other countries, and my parents’ business ceased to be profitable.

“My parents began to search for another way that we could obtain a more consistent form of income. Because of this, they began to make bracelets, hair ties, and headbands. Leather was a material that attracted a lot of people who made wallets, belts, briefcases, and every type of bag imaginable. It was in this way that my parents got ahead, and they always provided the essentials for us while they dedicated themselves to the creation of these pieces. We began to get involved in the process, first only observing. Doing the same thing that our parents did always appealed to us. We were impressed with each piece that they made, because they were made with a lot of love and dedication. I know that this is the unique and special touch that our pieces had.

“My father, Eduardo, was always a very creative person,” comments Monica between laughs, “His imagination soars, but it is because of what he has done that we are able to have these unique pieces. My mother has always been at his side, helping him with the commercial aspect. They have always made an excellent team. Because of this, with my brothers, Leonardo and Gabriel, we became a little bit more involved each time. We had the best teachers.

“For various reasons, I was in Switzerland for five years. It was a drastic change not only for me, but for my family. Being there, I appreciated the work of my parents more. Returning, I began to work with my parents 100%. It is a marvelous art; it is my roots, and it has united us as a family.

“With each piece, we share part of our family history, which has brought us many years of strength. In this way, we have carried on perfecting our techniques in order to always give our clients the best through decades of love and dedication.”